Flak-Bait.com Gallery

The Martin B-26B Marauder "Flak Bait" flew more missions over Europe than any other American airplane of World War II. With 202 operational sorties to its credit, this medium bomber had the longest and most colorful combat history of any aircraft in the Museum. Despite their initial high rate of accidents in training, the Marauders soon vindicated themselves with the greatest bombing accuracy and lowest loss rate of any American aircraft. "Flak Bait" was given its name after "Flea Bait," a nickname for the dog belonging to the aircraft's first pilot. The original paint is still bright, but more than a thousand patched flak holes bear witness to the fact that this most famous of Marauders was indeed appropriately named. It is currently housed at the Garber Facility, part of the Smithsonian Instistute.

These two pictures show the B-26B "Flak Bait" rear fuselage in storage at the Garber Facility. The left photo was taken showing where the rear fuselage connects to the forward fuselage and the right photo shows inside the bomb bay. The restored forward fuselage of the B-26B "Flak Bait" is on display in the World War II gallery in the National Air and Space Museum downtown.
© 1998 Smithsonian Institution	© 1998 Smithsonian Institution